It's not everyday that you see a memorable benefit concert at a firehouse in a Providence, Rhode Island, but that's where I was when I first saw Roz Raskin and the Ricecakes. At the time, they were Roz and one rice cake (guitarist/bassist/ percussionist Justin Foster). "This band is the best band in Providence," someone whispered in my ear. He wasn't just saying that because they've won the title in 2010 either. A few days later at a bar in Newport that usually features Limp Bizkit cover bands and was equipped with cantankerous aged patrons who spoke like Peter Griffith, on the night that the Boston Bruins won the Stanley World Cup, I watched Roz and the Ricecakes in full force rock the whole room with catchy songs that featured, of all things, a glockenspiel.
What makes Roz and the Ricecakes so irresistible? For starters they are incredibly talented. Foster can play just about anything. Casey Belisle is rumored to be the best drummer in Rhode Island (told to me by a fellow Rhode Island drummer) and is also the male vocalist. Roz's heart is almost too big for her small stature, and her tender but light voice reveals its sensibility. Her presence more alludes to the female rocker singer/songwriters of the 90s than the whiney hipster girls-with-guitars of today. Which leads to the most important thing about the Ricecakes that sets them apart from other bands: their charm. Call it New England (more specifically Rhode Island) charm or call it quirky, the Ricecake charm is nonetheless endearing and an important part of their musical aesthetic. Their latest EP Monster Man is full of it. Catchy melodies intertwine with a delightful array of strings, percussion, and glockenspiel to make up the 6 song composition. But the Ricecakes are not just trying to be cute; their charm stems from their earnestness. Their songs carry a dark twinge and can come off like abstract cynical observations, albeit observations from a sensitive optimist/realist hurt by the bleak realities of life. They're honest and heartfelt, and the truthfullness is emphasized by the airiness of Roskin's vocals, her harmonies with Belisle, and the jingle of her keyboard (and yes, her glockenspiel). And while the imagery and tone isn't always as playful as the monster walking in yellow fields on "With a Monster Man" (compared with strong declaration of hate for all people on "Hate"), the Ricecakes and Monster Man never lose the charm.
During the show at the firehouse, which was a benefit concert for the victims of the Japanese tsunami and earthquake, Roskin clenched and apologized in between lyrics describing various natural disasters during the ironically fitting "Magma". Too soon? Maybe. Did we forgive her? Of course. It's too hard not to.
The Ricecake charm is just too strong to fight off ( unlike the monster in their debut video for "Magma" seen after the jump). They carry it with them wherever they go, along with a van full of Rhode Island's own Narragansett beer, their proud sponsor. This past summer they proved they could play anywhere, sharing the bill with Lupe Fiasco, Chromeo, and Atmosphere at the Kahbang Festival and entertaining an intimate gathering of friends and fans in my candle-lit kitchen all on one tour. Firehouse, apartment, sold out outdoor festival alike, the Ricecakes woo audiences with their unique brand of kindhearted and truthful indie folk-pop and their charming New England persona. As a band that knows where they come from, it's clear the Ricecakes will take themselves far.
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